2 Charged With Extortion

DIGEST

February 27, 1992|Staff reports

Death threats against a Pompano Beach roofing company owner who could not pay back a $10,000 loan carrying 260 percent interest led to the arrest on Wednesday of two men who were charged with extortion and loansharking.

The roofer took the loan six months ago to pay his workers. Six weeks ago, the loan was called in with interest, Fort Lauderdale police spokesman Ott Cefkin said.

The frightened roofer got in touch with Metropolitan Intelligence Unit agents on Tuesday. He met with the suspects on Wednesday near Andrews Avenue and Southwest Fifth Street, and was told he would be killed if he could not come up with the cash, Cefkin said.